Iran's exiled prince accuses West of 'throwing protesters under bus' in scathing rant

Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last shah, claimed nearly as many Iranians have been killed in the past month as Americans in more than seven years of war in Vietnam.

Millions of Iranians have taken to the streets calling for regime change, with thousands being injured in the protests.

Mr Pahlavi called for urgent action from Britain and the US to topple Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader.

He told The Sunday Times: "We are at a point of no return, and that's why it's so critical the world has to help, or there will be even more of the same.

"Iranians expected action and are scratching their heads why nothing is happening," referencing President Trump's promise that "help is on the way".

He added: "It's a moral obligation. There cannot just be condemnation, then back to business as usual. The West cannot throw protesters under a bus."

Mr Trump said that a US "armada" was heading to Iran and he is keeping a "very close" eye on the country.

The USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier with five fighter jet squadrons and at least three missile destroyers, is now heading towards the Persian Gulf.

The exiled prince continued: "We believe this is not just a simple naval manoeuvre but an important mobilisation of military forces in preparation for something substantive.

"It's not just symbolic. I think it's an intent to do something, and we will see very soon."

Mr Pahlavi lives in the US, having not been to Iran since 1978 when he left to study.

His father had to leave the country the next year, which then followed nationwide protests against excesses, corruption, and the Shah's oppressive use of force.

It created the path for the ayatollah's rule.

The number of those killed and injured during the protests is unclear due to the internet shutdown; however, US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said the death toll had reached 5,002, with an additional 9,787 cases still under investigation.

A medical report last week claimed 16,500 protesters had been killed and over 300,000 were wounded.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei acknowledged that "several thousands" had died during the demonstrations, turning the blame onto the protestors themselves during a televised address.

HRANA has since changed the number killed to upwards of 25,654, which they say have been "clinically verified".

Mr Pahlavi said the reports he is receiving total the number killed to be in excess of 50,000.

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